Tottenham, Juventus and Manchester United to battle it out for Llorente say Basque TV

Fernando Llorente's situation at Athletic Club Bilbao looks more fragile by the day and reports in the Spanish press that he's told the club he wants to leave this summer have already made their way around Europe and various press outlets are linking likely clubs with the Spanish international striker.

Gazzetta in Italy pushes the Juventus agnle, saying that he would be a cheaper alternative to Robin van Persie and that they could get him for around €20m, which is a lot less than his buy-out clause with the Basque club.

The Italian outlet claim that Basque TV station ETB says the battle for his signature will be between Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Serie A side Juventus. Llorente was linked with a move to the Manchester club last week when it was claimed that they could even try and sign him on a pre-contract agreement in January which would see him join the Old Trafford club for nothing when his current deal expires next summer.

A move from Bilbao had always seemed unlikely given the strong link that he's said to have with the club and supporters but that has been tested with fans giving him grief and whistling during a game because he has refused the club's final contract offer.

Gazzetta are probably correct to assume that he'd be available for less than his buy-out clause, because he only has a year left on his contract but his price will surely still be high, especially if several clubs declare an interest in signing him.

That may make Tottenham think twice but if they want a top level striker then they're probably going to have to pay top money for one. Manchester United could see him as an alternative to Van Persie if something goes wrong with that deal and Juventus are no doubt of the same mind.

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